Marilyn Mathews, 76, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 7, 2026, after an
extended illness.
Jamie was born on November 18, 1949, in Urbana, Ohio, to Henry and Ruth Powell. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her beloved husband, Sydney E. Mathews and
grandson, Zev.
She is survived by her sisters, Bonnie Katherine Eddings (Bruce), Leslie Banks (Crawford), and Tony Gilbert (Raymond); her brother, Henry Powell; her sons, Ronnie McKillip (Pam) and Dominick Pazo (Marsha); seven grandchildren (Arielle Bickley (Bill), Brooke McKillip, Blake McKillip (Bridget), Caitlyn Chesser); four great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends whose lives were touched by her kindness, humor, and authenticity.
As a child, Jamie moved with her family to Key West, Florida, where she built a life and raised her family on “The Rock.” It was there that she developed her lifelong love of Cuban food and Coca-Cola. She worked for the Monroe County School District’s Drug Prevention Program.
Jamie eventually met and married the love of her life, Sydney. Together they built a home in
Boone, North Carolina, where they enjoyed mountain living surrounded by horses, goats, pigs, and the many Huskies she raised. After Sydney’s passing, Jamie followed her greatest joy—her grandchildren—to Florida, where she spent many treasured years helping care for them as they grew. It was here where she enjoyed retirement and continued her lifelong love of animals, always finding room for one more furry companion.
Jamie never met a stranger. The front porch became a gathering place where she could strike up a conversation with anyone passing by. In her later years, she especially enjoyed spending time there with her beloved animals, making friends throughout the neighborhood.
Those who knew Jamie will remember her fierce determination, quick wit, and unforgettable sense of humor. Even during her illness, she faced every challenge with courage and tenacity, keeping her family shaking heads with her antics. Jamie’s legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the animals she loved, the friends she made wherever she went, and the countless memories she created along the way.
She will be deeply missed and forever loved. A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.